Two convicted after £45K thefts from farms
23rd February 2022
Two men appeared for sentencing after a string of high value thefts from farms across west Somerset in the first half of 2020.
After a lengthy police investigation, Jeffery Hughes, 45, of John Street, Bridgwater and Gareth Hayward, 19, of Coleridge Square, Bridgwater, have been convicted of theft and dishonest handling of property.
The thefts included quad bikes and trailers and a 4×4 vehicle and motorhome with a combined value of £45,000.
The pair appeared at Taunton Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday 10th February.
Hughes was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also made subject to an overnight curfew and fitted with an electronic tag.
Hayward was given a Community Order for 180 hours and disqualified from driving for two years.
The convictions follow a partnership operation set up to tackle rural crime in west Somerset – led by Sedgemoor Neighbourhood Policing Team with Avon and Somerset’s Rural Affairs Unit and the burglary focus team.
Superintendent Dickon Turner, Somerset commander and rural affairs lead, said:
“This conviction is a result of hard work by the Sedgemoor neighbourhood team, Rural Affairs Unit and our dedicated burglary officers.
“A thorough, intelligence-led investigation, assisted by members of the Somerset Farmwatch community, has resulted in the disruption of serious criminal enterprise and enabled the recovery of high value stolen property, which we were pleased to be able to return to its rightful owners.
“We will continue to take a robust approach to pursuing offenders who threaten the well-being and livelihoods of people who live and work in our rural communities. We urge the public to continue to report rural thefts, damage and wildlife crimes to us, and tell us about any suspicious behaviour they witness.”
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